Independence Day

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness...

...We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Independence Day...Once again...Once again, a day for barbecues, picnics, vacations and a fun day with the family. It's a three-day weekend and a federal holiday. For many it's just another chance to get paid for a day off of work, and a chance to get caught up on yard work or time with the family...

For many others, over 200,000, they have no time with the family. They have a grave and solemn responsiblity that is weighty upon their shoulders. They are the young men and women who guard that wall that divides the United States from those people who would seek out our destruction. These are the brave souls who face what we fear everyday so that we do not have to...They might be having a barbecue and a chance to unwind a little bit. But they are also running continuous patrols. They are also dodging mortar fire. They are manning checkpoints and security posts. They have no day off. For them, they honor their forefathers in a much more tangible and real way. They live upon the creed and the testament that those men left behind over 200 years ago.

If anyone reads the Declaration of Independence, once can see that they put much dependence on divine providence, faith in God as well as God-given rights and liberties which no man can take away. When these rights are taken away by mortal men, then there is a right, a responsibility, a duty to resist and to declare one's independence to regain their freedoms.

Our fighting men and women are deployed world wide, still fighting for our freedom. They fight not against a nation state or a specific government. They fight against a fundamental ideology which would seek our enslavement or destruction. It is a war of ideals and ideology. This war for freedom is just as real and tangible as the fight that our forefathers took upon themselves so long ago, risking it all.

When we declare freedom and claim to have the honor that makes our freedom and liberties righteous, it also places a burden upon our shoulders. It is not only for us. We have a solemn duty of honor to assist and defend liberty and honor wherever it may be threatened. If we do not, then the freedom which we enjoy is nothing but a sham and hollow lie. And we are nothing more than charlatans and thieves.

So while you go out to the beach and barbecues today, remember those brave souls who stand their watch on the wall, allowing us to enjoy our freedom. They make the ultimate contribution, prepared to lay the ultimate sacrifice down on the altar of freedom for us. How can we question the righteousness of our course of action when we are on the same road that we were over 200 years ago?

Let freedom ring...

And may God watch over them.